Spruce Creek Trails Association, Inc. October - November 2007 Newsletter www.sprucecreektrails.com

Board Meeting & Finances

The Board Meeting was held on September 22 because National Trail Work Day is on September 29.  Minutes and Finances and can be read on the web site which is www.sprucecreektrails.com, or contact Roy Sillman for an update.

Troxel-Wood Trailhead Update

The trailhead has not been finished due to an error in grading the property.  A 40 foot strip was graded which was not included in the property donation.  A dialog is being held with the property donator on how we can remedy this situation to everyone’s satisfaction.

Spruce Creek is Growing

Several people have moved into Spruce Creek either full-time or edging toward full time.  Please welcome the following people to our community.

>Pam & Bob Atwell, 518 Spruce Creek Drive, (aka the Howdy House)

>Wayne Conard, 684 Spruce Creek Drive

>Jerry Grant, 647 Spruce Creek Drive (aka Capt. Grumpy)

>J. B. & Barbara Griffin, 211 Maple Lane

>Danny & Tracy Hatcher, 385 Red Oak

>Lori & John Sloan, 165 Taft Story Road

Membership Applications

Membership applications can be downloaded at:  www.sprucecreektrails.com or phone Roy Sillman.

September 22 Work Day

The Spruce Creek group worked with two BSF trail crew members to put in water bars on the hill leading down to Laurel Creek.  Across from the creek is the rocky Proctor Ridge Hill.  BSF is in the process of improving this section of the trail and will continue working on the hill.  Timber Ridge Campground is participating in working from their campground to Proctor Ridge.  The trail should be in great condition by spring.

Trail work and lunch volunteers were Mike & Donna Smith, Tom & Barb Jancek, Roy Sillman, Leonard Dyal, Ken Pasternack, Bonne Glasser, Ron & Linda Brinkerhoff, Claudia Matchette, Hal & Sharon Vaughn, Kathy Harty, Beverly Chase, Leslie Helm, and Walt Singleton & Eric Delk from Big South Fork.  I hope no volunteer was left off the list I was given.  Everyone worked very hard and ate heartily at the noon Pavilion lunch.

Mike Smith, Ron Brinkerhoff and Walt Singleton work on setting a water bar.

Donna Smith & Tom Pickard prep water bars. The bright neon shirts were provided by Mike Smith.

National Trail Work Day-September 29

A second September Work Day is being held on Saturday, September 29 in conjunction with National Trail Work Day.  Work crews from BSF will work with volunteers from SCTA and Timber Ridge Campground on Proctor Ridge and Yellowface trails.  Yellowface volunteers meet at Troxel-Wood Trailhead at 8 A.M.  Proctor Ridge volunteers meet just down the road from Jaime Whiteaker’s by the BSF trucks at 8 A.M.  All volunteers should bring sack lunches and beverages. 

A BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers at the work days. 

Burn Permits Required Now through May 15

Due to the drought Burn Permits are now required.  Normally permits are required from October 15 through May 15.  Phone (931) 879-7173.

Riding the Wildcat Den, Sawtooth and Mont-gomery Road Trails

Another trail of moderate difficulty is the Wildcat Den Trail.  If you begin at the Pavilion and ride  toward Cumberland Valley in about a half mile you will see the signs for the Teepe Loop and Wildcat Den.  Or, if you ride from the Pavilion on the trail going the other way along Spruce Creek Drive and then into the woods toward Crocket Creek Road you will see the sign to Wildcat Den in about a mile. 

Once you are on the Wildcat Den Trail the riding is easy for awhile.  You will come to a three way intersection where you can go to the Sawtooth Trail, which is an easy trail of about three miles that terminates at a bluff line.  You can gait easily along this trail.

If you decide to take the Montgomery Road Trail it is easy and you will eventually come to Bacara’s Restaurant.  They have a tie line already put up so you can tie your horse and go in and dine.  Call ahead to make sure they are open and make a reservation.  The phone number is 879-7121.  They have been open beginning at noon on Saturday and on Sunday mornings for brunch as well as in the late afternoon.

If you decide to continue down the Wildcat Den Trail there is one difficult section when you descend down the hill.  Several work days have been spent on this section and now you have several railroad tie steps to descend.  If you take your time it isn’t bad.  You can also lead your horse down if you feel more comfortable.  The rest of the trail is much easier.  It comes to the Wildcat Den rock house on the right.  You can cross-tie your horse to trees or use the new tie rails provided by BSF, then walk down to the rock house.  It is huge and is a great opportunity to take photos.  No Horses Allowed in this area. If you continue down the trail it comes out on Darrow Ridge Road in about a half mile.

If you want to return a different way you can turn left down Darrow Ridge Road and come back on the Proctor Ridge Trail.  I will talk about that trail another time.

Tack Cleaning Tip

(Tip provided by Roy Sillman)

If you your halter/bridle and breastcollar are made of biothane or other synthetic material, it is very easy to clean if you put it in your dish washer and run a cycle.  It comes out dirt free and ready to use.  If you want to spend the time you could take the pieces apart, otherwise just lay it in the dishwasher and turn it on.

You Are Invited to Church

Many of us attend local churches and would enjoy having you join us.

>The Methodist Church in Jamestown has 8:30 and 11 A.M. Sunday services.  Tom & Joyce Pickard,  879-6784.

>The Presbyterian Church in Allard has Sunday services at 11 A.M.  Steve & Donna Drochak, 752-8388.

>The Unity Baptist Church in Allardt                             has services at 11 A.M.  Linda & Ron Brinkerhoff, 752-5169.

>Faith Baptist Tabernacle in Jamestown has an 11 A.M. service.   Irene Mann, 879-2229.

Reporting Trail Problems on BSF Trails

If you encounter down trees or bad spots on the BSF trails, please notify Wally Linder, the trail crew leader in BSF at (423) 569-9778.  The trail crew does a great job keeping the trails in good shape but appreciates input from riders when there is a problem.

Big South Fork also keeps track of volunteer hours and they can count your input in these hours.

Cross Ties for Trail Riding

(Tip by Joyce Pickard)

I married a Boy Scout who thinks I should be prepared for anything, including an unexpected four nights lost in the woods.  The one thing Tom made for my saddle bag emergency kit that I have used a lot is a set of very lightweight cross ties.  They are just two 8’ pieces of very light braided cotton cord with a snap in one end.  Now I can easily cross tie my horse between trees when I need to stop and the ties take up very little room in my bag.  BSF frowns on horses eating their trees and I never have to worry about this happening.  If I need more than 8’ of rope on one side I can snap the ties together to use on one side and then snap my reins together to use on the other side.

Have You Heard About AIREVAC?

As we all know riding horses can be dangerous.  Did you know that a helicopter service is available for Spruce Creek and BSF and is affordable.  If you are interested, the fees are:

Telephone 800-793-0010 and get immediate coverage using your credit card or log onto:

www.lifeteam.net

 “The Best Horsey Present I Ever Received”

Please send information on the best “horsey present you have ever received to JP for the December-January Newsletter.  Include how old you were, etc. so we can make this a great article filled with fun and nostalgic information and ideas.

Saddling Tip

If you have a tall horse, are height impaired, etc. you might want to use your one or two step mounting block when saddling.  Just carry your saddle up the steps and put it on your horse.  It is so much easier this way because you can keep your elbows at your waist, lock them in and not have to extend your arms above your head.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Spruce Creek

Sept. 29 Natl. Trails Work Day & Potluck

Oct. 27 Potluck

Nov. 24 9 A.M. Board Meeting tba

Saddle Valley Campground

www.saddlevalleycampground.com

Oct. 20  Fall colors Ride: Ride to overlooks on N. White Oak loop, potluck. 

Oct. 27  Halloween Party and costume contest.

Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner

Southeast Pack Trips

www.southeastpacktrips.com

Afternoon rides to Bacara’s Restaurant for dinner.

Beginning September 1 Horses for rent at East Fork Thursday through Sunday

Timber Ridge Campground

www.horse-camping.com

Nov. 2-4 Trail Challenge

Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Dinner

It’s not “911” in Big South Fork!

If you have an emergency in BSF and are still in Fentress County do not dial 911.  Dialing 911 routes the call to Scott County and hampers rescue efforts because the dispatchers are not familiar with our side of the park.  Instead, program your cell phone to 879-8142 or (931) 879-8142 and your call will be taken by the Jamestown dispatcher who is familiar with the trails, trailheads and roads.

Wednesday Rides

The Wednesday ride schedule for the rest of the year is:

>Oct. 10, 9 A.M. Pavilion.  Ride to Rockhouse Ranch.

>Oct. 17.  To be announced.

>Oct. 24.  To be announced.

Oct. 31.  10 A.M.  HALLOWEEN RIDE!  Meet at Pavilion in your HALLOWEEN COSTUMES.  We will have a traveling lunch on horseback.  Bring a lead rope/halter so that you can tie up.  LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE RIDING.  If you would like to donate food, please let Joyce Pickard (JP) know.

Product Review Spray-Away Shampoo Sprayer

(Donna Drochak has one of these and loves it.)

Jeffers offers a deluxe sprayer/foaming unit to dispense water and then shampoo.  The foaming unit has a quick-adjust metering dial so you  know how much soap you are dispensing from 1-5.  First, wet the horse with water and then spray him down with the shampoo.  You can then either wash him off or just let the shampoo drip off and he will be clean.  It’s $39.95 plus the shampoo.

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=1&pf_id=0029678

Pavilion Use

Spruce Creek Trail Association members and owners may use the Pavilion when it is not scheduled. Just inquire with Ken Pasternack, Tom Jancek, or Ricky Rains to make sure it has not already been reserved.

Trade/Sell/Rent/Misc.

>Mobile Home for Rent 2BR mobile home available for month to month rental.   Horses welcome.   Doreen Mendola.  (931) 752 8201.

>Bush hogging, post holes dug and light grading.  Tom Jancek. (931) 879-8660.

>Barns, buildings and garages built, bobcat work.  Brian Matchette.  (931)  879-5312.

>850# square hay bales for sale.  $85 per bale, you  move.  Rick & Cheryl Rager.  (931) 752-2225.

>Pet Adoption – Donna Drochak is a volunteer for Best Friends Sanctuary and fosters dogs.  If you are looking for a new pet, phone Donna at (931) 752-8388 and tell her what you have in mind.

>Deluxe cabin and barn, 240 Crockett Creek.

$105,000. Furnished. You pick acreage size @ $16,000 per acre.  The Pickards, (931) 879-6784.

>Sewing by Joan. Turn your favorite photo into an embroidery design.  Custom slipcovers, cushion covers, pillows, draperies, etc.  Unique bathroom and horse trailer interior designs.  752-7643.

>Mulching machine/forester & manure disposal

Also horse manure disposal and fencing.  Leonard Dyal, 752-7643.

>Cabin for Rent - Sleeps 6-10, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, fireplace, Jacuzzi, etc. www.kickingbackcabin.

 >Mowing.  Rita Rosshirt, (931) 239-6835.  Free estimates and references. 

Newsletter

Joyce Pickard , (931) 879-6784.  tjpickard2001@msn.com

Donna Smith , (615) 230-8429. smit1297@bellsouth.net

Spruce Creek Trail Association